United receive a harsh lesson in taking their chances

Skegness United 0

Horncastle Town 2

Skegness United were left rueing chances that went begging following their 2-0 home defeat to Horncastle Town on Saturday.

Having drawn at The Wong the previous week, United went into the match confident of going one better, despite missing the injured Corey Cunliffe and Arun Gray and unavailable George Hobbins, James Gray and Harry Ginniff.

The match highlighted the need to take your chances, which the visitors did by netting their only two efforts on target.

After a slow start, a through ball sent Danny Reid free on goal before he was taken out by keeper William Wood, the Horncastle stopper seeing yellow.

From a United corner, Wood saved low down to deny the hosts before blocking another effort from Reid, again charging down on goal.

Moments later, Reid then fired over the bar before Jake Portas’ long throw was collected by Tom Pickett, but he also failed the hit the target.

Town’s first opening of the half saw Michael Harness shoot wide.

United went close to opening their account 10 minutes into the second half when, from a Portas throw in, Josh Nwokobia headed against the top of the bar.

Reid then sent another effort wide before again being taken out by Wood when through on goal, no action being taken this time.

Horncastle took the lead on 80 minutes when a cross-cum-shot from Tom Chalk found its way into the far corner of the net, eluding home keeper Travis Portas.

Following a United corner, the ball found its way to Pickett six yards out, but he missed his kick and the chance had gone.

Following a United corner, the visitors went two up on 88 minutes when the ball was cleared upfield, and some interplay resulted in Harness receiving the ball and firing home from 10 yards out.

United’s Man of Match award was given to Nathan Wetton.